Prey (2022) - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

The Predator franchise has had a bit of an up-and-down history. A huge hit in theaters, a sequel was never really considered until the Dark Horse comic series became a massive success for the independent publisher. I dug the hell out of Predator 2, it was the first R-Rated film I saw in theaters, but I know it’s not everyone’s favorite. Then came Alien vs Predator and AVP: Requiem and well, the less said there the better. Predators was a creative take on old material but it banked too hard on familiarity for its own good. And just when things were looking up with Shane Black taking the reins for The Predator… that one at least had some cool-looking theatrical posters but little else. And just when our favorite spine-ripping alien hunters were dead in the franchise waters, Dan Trachtenberg cooked up a triumphant return. 

As a longtime Predator fan who grew up hearing the terrifying knock of woodpeckers outside his window believing the dreadlocked menace was hiding in his backyard, I loved Prey. As a kid that saw all kinds of horror movies with a rich variety of death and dismemberment, Predator was one of the few flicks that actually scared me then and still keeps me on the edge of my seat today. It was tense and suspenseful, and you never knew what was coming next. Prey felt like a true return to form for the franchise. Shooting the series back in time some 300 years was a brilliant twist upping the stakes by forcing our new hero to use her wits and skills to outsmart the galaxy’s fiercest hunter. The film also kicked up more than a few clever easter eggs calling back to key events and a prop or two from the original films.

My only regret with this film isn’t something I had any control over. Prey deserved to be seen in theaters and not shuffled off to Hulu in some stupid hope that it might conjure up a few extra subscribers. While I applaud Disney for pealing this film off of Hulu and giving it a disc release, I’d stand up and cheer if it got a limited engagement at IMAX - especially for the Halloween season. I’ve seen it four times now and I’d be more than happy to plunk out $15+ to catch it on the big screen. 

For another take on the film, check out Bryan’s Prey Hulu Streaming Review

Vital Disc Stats: The 4K UltraHD Blu-ray
Prey hunts down its first home video release with a 4K UHD + Blu-ray release from Disney/20th Century. No digital code was included with this release. The 4K is pressed on a BD-66 disc with a BD-50 reserved for the 1080p edition and bonus features. The discs load to the typical Disney language menu letting you skip right to the film or segue to an animated main menu. Discs are housed in a standard sturdy case with a slick metallic-accented slipcover. Also included is an advert flier for NECA's Ferel Predator figure you can order today!

NOTE: All images are sourced from the included 1080p Blu-ray. When we can rip the 4K disc, we hope to circle back to swap in 4K-sourced images and if possible a video sample. 

After languishing on streaming for far too long, Prey stalks 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray with an excellent 2160p 2.39:1 HDR10 transfer. The fast version - this easily outpaces the Hulu streaming version we’ve been living with. With a nice healthy bitrate, fine details, and brilliant colors come to vivid life. Facial features, costuming, and excellent production design come through with terrific clarity. I really liked the design for the new Ferel Predator and getting to see all the details in the practical creature effects and that bone helm is a real joy. Likewise, all of the practical gore effects look fantastic. 

HDR10 works wonders here as well enhancing those primaries, deep inky shadows, and brilliant whites. The black levels on the disc look much better than streaming, the scene where they’re hunting the lion in the dark is a key point there. I also felt shadow gradience was much stronger and more precise, again those night scenes with lit torches is a prime example. We didn’t get to see it in theaters, but this disc easily outpaces the streaming experience. 

Another example where disc is awesome and streaming sucks, we get an excellent Atmos audio mix over the 5.1 track Hulu is currently rolling with. From the jump, this track is immersive and exciting with a lovely LFE range. From the impacts of the tomahawk into the trees to when the Predator ship enters the atmosphere, there’s much more heft and weight in the subs than the streaming experience. Pinpoint object placement is particularly immersive through this mix with the sounds of nature moving throughout the soundscape. Height channels get their time to shine with sounds of birds and wildlife flying about, but also early on when the Predator is observing people from the trees, those extra little cackles or swish of a tree branch really hits. When the French trappers lay their big trap, that sequence is dynamite! Dialog is clean and clear without issue. Levels are spot on without any need for adjustment, but I recommend rolling it nice and loud. Especially for Sarah Schachner’s badass score! The thundering strings and percussion is exhilarating stuff in this mix.

On the alternate audio front is a very respectable Dolby Digital 5.1 Comanche audio track. It might not have the same impact as the full Atmos mix, but it’s still pretty good. I was impressed with how clean the dubbing is and I wasn’t put off with the vocals not matching the lips. My one gripe with this setup is the subtitles. They’re the SDH variety so it also includes sound effect cards that are a bit distracting. All in all I dig the Comanche track, just wish it was as full-throated as the English Atmos.

The included Blu-ray has DTS-HD MA 7.1, I didn’t spend a lot of time with that track, but it’s impressive and definitely better than the streaming experience. 

On the bonus features front, this release of Prey comes with a pretty impressive assortment of materials. The biggest and best I’d say is the Audio Commentary with Dan Trachtenberg, Amber Midthunder, Jeff Cutter, and Angela M. Catanzaro. It’s a lively discussion without downtime or gaps. The making-of featurette was pretty good if a little too brief to be a deep dive into production, but it was wild to see the original title “Skulls” on the production slates. I’m not much for Q&A Panels but this one proved to be lively and entertaining enough. The Deleted Scenes with commentary are interesting in that they fill some gaps of scenes that were brought up during the main commentary track that was cut out of the final film. The pre-vis sequence is pretty damn cool and but it was a wise cut for the reasons mentioned. 

• Audio Commentary with Dan Trachtenberg, Amber Midthunder, Jeff Cutter, and Angela M. Catanzaro
• Making of Prey (HD 12:17)
• Prey FYC Panel with Cast & Crew (HD 29:01)
• Deleted Scenes with Commentary (HD 4:48)
• Alternate Opening Scene
• Big Warrior Little Warrior
• Treetop Chase (Pre-Vis)

Prey should be the textbook case of how not to release a good movie. When theaters needed quality product and Disney/20th Century definitely could have used a box office win, Dan Trachtenberg’s exhilarating franchise prequel was unceremoniously ushered out onto Hulu because those subscription pennies were more alluring than theatrical millions. Thankfully Disney has come to their senses with physical media lately and this film gets to live on in a format that does it justice. While I would absolutely go see this in the theater should the opportunity arise, I’m glad we have this 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray. The HDR10 transfer is fantastic and the Atmos audio is terrific easily skinning the streaming presentation leaving the carcase behind. Bonus features may be a bit slim, but the audio commentary is well worth the listen for a lively engaging conversation. Now a rival for my second favorite Predator film - Prey on 4K is Highly Recommended.  

Also Available